Cayman Islands · Residency by investment

Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means

Open Last verified July 2026

Open. Governed by the Immigration Regulations (2025 Revision). Valid for a renewable 25-year period.

This route costs half what the CoPR does and delivers the same practical outcome for most families: lawful, long-term, zero-tax residence in Cayman. What it does not deliver is the British endgame or work rights. Choose it when the tax result is the goal and the passport is not.

Qualifying routes

$1.2M

Grand Cayman

CI$1,000,000 invested in Grand Cayman (roughly USD 1.2m), of which at least CI$500,000 must be in developed residential real estate. Plus either continuous annual income of CI$120,000 without needing to work in Cayman, or a minimum CI$400,000 deposit maintained with a CIMA-regulated locally licensed institution.

$600k

Cayman Brac or Little Cayman

CI$500,000 invested (roughly USD 600k), of which at least CI$250,000 must be in developed real estate. Plus annual income of CI$75,000, or CI$400,000 in local deposits.

The facts

Minimum investment: $1.2M
Total landed cost: CI$1,000,000 investment on Grand Cayman, roughly USD 1.2m, plus a CI$500 application fee and a CI$20,000 fee on grant, roughly USD 24,000, plus CI$1,000 per approved dependant. There is also a 7.5% stamp duty on the property element.
Route type: Residency by investment
Timeline: 3–9 months (The Chief Immigration Officer or the relevant Board decides.)
Physical presence: None prescribed.
Family: SpouseDependent children
Permanent residency: None directly. This is a 25-year renewable certificate, not permanent residence. It does not convert into the CoPR. That requires a separate CI$2m investment.
Citizenship: Not directly. Time on this certificate counts as legal residence and can support a later naturalisation application, but the certificate itself confers no status on its own.
Language test: Not applicable
Dual citizenship: Permitted
Requirements: CI$1,000,000 invested in Grand Cayman, with at least CI$500,000 in developed residential real estate (CI$500,000 / CI$250,000 for the Sister Islands)Annual income of CI$120,000 (CI$75,000 for the Sister Islands), or CI$400,000 on deposit with a CIMA-regulated institutionGood character and a clean police recordHealth insurance

What can go wrong

It does not permit employment in the Cayman Islands. Unlike the CoPR, this is not negotiable. If a client needs to work, this is the wrong certificate.
It is a 25-year renewable certificate, not permanent residence, and it does not convert into the CoPR. Do not let a client believe this route leads to the British passport.
The income test is not a one-off proof at application. It is a continuing requirement of CI$120,000 per year on Grand Cayman.
Within the CI$1m investment, CI$500,000 must go into developed real estate. That is a specific requirement, and a CI$1m investment structured the wrong way will not qualify.
The same cost-of-living, hurricane and CRS considerations apply here as with the CoPR.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residency. None directly. This is a 25-year renewable certificate, not permanent residence. It does not convert into the CoPR. That requires a separate CI$2m investment.

Citizenship. Not directly. Time on this certificate counts as legal residence and can support a later naturalisation application, but the certificate itself confers no status on its own.

Dual citizenship. Permitted

Frequently asked

How long until citizenship through the Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means?

Not directly. Time on this certificate counts as legal residence and can support a later naturalisation application, but the certificate itself confers no status on its own.

What does the Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means cost?

The minimum qualifying investment is $1.2M. CI$1,000,000 investment on Grand Cayman, roughly USD 1.2m, plus a CI$500 application fee and a CI$20,000 fee on grant, roughly USD 24,000, plus CI$1,000 per approved dependant. There is also a 7.5% stamp duty on the property element.

How much time must I spend in Cayman Islands?

None prescribed.

Who can I include in the application?

Spouse; Dependent children.